Important points to consider when examining a pediatric patient with allergic rhinitis

Abstract

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis is increasing, and the prevalence of Japanese cedar pollinosis is on the rise even in children. Medical interviews are an important part of diagnosing allergic rhinitis in children; however, a more detailed interview is important in cases where the initial interview does not provide enough information. Since performing examinations can be difficult in children, a diagnosis is made by combining feasible examinations. The diseases associated with pediatric allergic rhinitis should be differentiated according to age and it is important to make a diagnosis with that in mind. The condition might also be complicated by other diseases, and in cases where a patient has sought a consultation with the complaint of concomitant diseases, care must be taken to accurately determine the presence of allergic rhinitis. For the treatment of allergic rhinitis in children, as in adults, it is of course important to communicate with the patient and to eliminate and avoid antigens. However, in cases where drug therapy is not sufficiently effective, allergen immunotherapy is considered because of its high efficacy and the expectation that it will modify the natural course of the allergy. Sublingual immunotherapy is a type of allergen immunotherapy that is considered very safe, and actively starting such therapy in children is desirable if there is an indication. In the event of severe symptoms and findings, surgical treatment might also be effective.